Matrix for slug-casting machines.



P. T. DODGE. MATRIX FOR SLUG CASTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, I915- Patented July 3 ATP in.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 MERGENTI-IALER LINOTYPECOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MATRIX FOR SLUG-CASTING MACHINES.

Application filed June 28, 1915.

0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP T. DODGE, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of N e\v York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Matrices forSlug-Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to typographical casting machines, such as linotypemachines of the general organization represented'in United StatesLetters Patent to O. Mei-genthaler, No. 36532, wherein circulatingmatrices are released from a magazine in the order in which theircharacters are to' appear in print and then assembled in line, thecomposed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled withmolten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices whichproduce the. type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafterreturned through a distributing mechanism to the magazlne from whichthey started. I

My present invention is intended 'primarily to adapt the machine for theproduction of slugs of suitable form to receive and support cuts orprinting plates in a printing form made up from the slugs. Heretofore,the practice has been to cast the slugs of the ordinary form and sawthem off beyond the type characters, so as to provide a space for thereception of a supporting block upon which the plate is mounted' Thispractice is objectionable, as it not only involves a number of differentoperations which entail much labor and loss' of time, but in additiondifliculty is experienced in looking up the form in the proper and e)act manner required. Furthe more, it IS necessary to prepare aspecial'supporting block for each cut used, and as the cuts are seldomuniform, the attending annoyance and delays are great.

To overcome the above objections, I propose to cast the slugs with plainor smooth surfaces upon which the plates may be supported and withupstanding lips or projections of less than type height to engage theedges of the plate and hold it securely in place upon the slugs. Thisresult I secure, specifically. .by providing certain of the matriceswith plain or straight edges which fit closely against the mold when thecomposed line is presented thereto, and by Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented July 3, 191?.

Serial No. 36,638.

location to meet the exact conditions demanded. These features andothers will be more fully described in detail and finally pointed out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown my invention merely inpreferred form and by way of example, and as applied to a linotypemachine of the general class stated, but obviously there are variousother embodiments and adaptations which will still be comprised withinits spirit. Generally speaking, I desire it to be under stood that I donot limit myself to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far assuch limitations are specified in the claims. 7

Referring to the drawing:

rices or matrix sections employed in carrying out my invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of two other matrices of different form;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the mold of a linotypemachine, showing an assembled line of matrices in operative relationthereto and a slug cast against the line;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are somewhat similar views, showing diiferentarrangements of the matrices for the production of slugs with varyingforms of upstanding lips or projections Fig. 7 is a front view of theportion of the 'asssmbled line of matrices'shown in Fig. 6; Figs. 8, 9and 10 are views showing difierent forms of slugs produced in accordancewith my invention.

In Fig. 1, there are shown two complementary matrices or matrix sectionsA and B, the former having in its front or operative edge a plainrectangular notch A open at the front and side, and the latter havingits front or operative edge plain or straight. The matrix B is adaptedto be assembled in line at the side of the matrix A so as to closeFigure 1 is a perspective view of two 1nat the open side of the notch Athe two matrices thus providing between them a supplemental mold cavityinto which the molten metal may flow from the mold when the composedline is presented thereto. The result of this arrangement is indicatedin Fig. 3, where a slug Z cast against a matrix line is shown standingwithin the mold and having on its edge an upstanding lip or projection Zcast in the supplemental mold cavity of the complementary matricesincluded in "the line. The slug Z is also shown as provided with a typecarrying surface Z and a plain portion Z, the former being cast incavities H of matrices H, and the latter produced by the straight edgesof a group of the matrices B. The slug thus has its plain portion Z wellbelow the type surface to receive a cut or plate and support it with itsprinting face in horizontal alinement with the type surface. It ispointed out that the cavities H of the matrices H are deeper than thenotches A of the matrices A, so that the plate holding projectionsproduced by the latter will also stand below the type surface.

Fig. 2 illustrates two other matrices C and D, the former having a plainrectangular notch C open at the right, and the latter having a similarnotch D open at the left. When these matrices are assembled side by sidein line, their twt'i notches conjointly present a supplemental'moldcavity for the production of an upstanding projection Z on the slug,similar to the projection Z as shown in Fig 3. This arrangement isadvantageous in some instances to secure a different spacing of theupstanding proections.

In Fig. 4 the supplemental mold cavity is shown as constitutedby thematrix B and a matrix E, the latter being formed in its front oroperative edge with a notch E open at-the left and closed by the flatface of the matrix B. The matrix E differs from the matrix D beforedescribed only in the respect that the notch E is undercut instead ofrectangular, the purpose being to plroduce an undercut projection Z onthe s ug.

The supplemental mold cavity appearing in Fig. 5 is designed to producean upstanding projection Z undercut at both sides, it being constitutedby the matrix E and a matrix F, which latter is formed in its front oroperative edge with an undercut notch F open at the right andcommunicating with the notch E of the matrix E.

Asshown in Figs. 6 and 7, to make up the supplemental mold cavity, thematrices B and E are employed in conjunction with an intermediate matrixG, formed in its front or operative edge with a notch G open at bothsides and of a depth corresponding to that of the notch E in the matrixE. The purpose of this arrangement is to produce a holding projection Zon the slug of considerably greater width or size than the projection Zwhich is produced by the two matrices B and E alone. A similaroppositely-facing projection Z as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, may beproduced by interposing the matrix G- between the matrices B and F, itbeing remembered that the undercut notch 'F of the latter is open at theright as distinguished from the notch E which is open at the left.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the size or shape of theupstanding lips or projections on the slug may be varied in any mannerrequired and that they may be used for any desired purpose. Thus in Fig.9, a printing plate Y is shown as held be tween a pair of the undercutprojections Z and Z arranged at opposite ends of the slug. In Fig. 10, atriangular r.lle X is shown confined between a pair of the straightprojections Z which have been bent over to embrace the side of the rule.The location of the holding projections at the desired points along theslug may be readily obtained by assembling the corresponding matrices ormatrix sections at the proper places in the line, which merely requiresthe-operation of the selecting keys in the 95 regular way. Thus in Fig.8, the slug is shown as provided with two of the projections Z and oneeach of the projections Z Z and Z, these being spaced apart in a,definite manner. 0

\Vhen matrices such as E and F, having unde'fcut notches, are employed,it is obvious that some provision should be made to allow thecorresponding undercut projections produced thereby to be withdrawnafter the 105 casting operation. This is done by including in thecomposed line one or more of the ordinary expansible spacers X, which bybeing forced upward into the line before casting will expand it and holdthe matrices 110 in close and firm contact with each other, and which bybeing subsequently depressed will permit the line to contract or loosenup and thus to allow the separation of the adjoining matrices betweenwhich the undercut 115 pro ections are cast.

It is pointed out that the notches or cavities in the matrices of theseveral kinds discussed are all formed in an integral part of thematrix, the latter being solid through- 120 out. This is importantbecause in practice it has been found that the presence of crevices orjoints between movable parts is fatal, since the molten metal finds itsway into such crevices and interferes with the 5 movement of the partsor results in the production of imperfect slugs. Furthermore. it hasbeen found to be impracticable to make use of movable parts in thematrix owing to its delicate character and to the necessity 13o ofsecuring its firm contact against the mold and its circulationthroughthe machine. It is also pointed out that the location of thesupplemental mold cavities between adjoining matrices as described isimportant, in that the plate holding projections cast therein may bereadily withdrawn without any tendency to adhere or stick in thematrices,

such as would result in their severance or The importance of this lastfeature is emphasized in the case of the undercut projections, whichrequire the separation of the adjoin- -The above features will serve todistinguish the present invention in a few particulars from certainprior constructions which have failed to furnish a satisfactory solutionof the problem. In this connection, it may be noted that these priorconstructions were designed merely to produce a slug with a pair ofprojections to receive and hold a straight printing rule. Bothprojections were formed from a single matrix which not only had to be ofa given dimension to insure the uniform spacing of the projections onthe successive slugs, but which had also to be set in exactly the sameposition in the following lines to insure their proper transversealinement when the slugs were assembled in j the printing form- Such oldconstructions therefore were not designed, nor could they be used, forthe production of slugs capable of receiving and holding broad orirregular forms of printing plates; whereas the present invention isespecially fitted for such purpose, it being possible to produce thecomplementary holding projections at any distance apart along the edgeof the slug, which result is secured simply by assembling the severalpairs of complementary matrices at the proper points in the line. Inother words, by casting-the complementary holding projections inseparate pairs or pluralities of matrices or matrix sections, theirrelative location may be varied in any manner desired. A,

As previously stated, the foregoing embodiments of my invention havebeen selected merely by way of example and as illustrative of the broadunderlying principle, and it will be obvious that many changes andvariations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art withoutdeparture from its scope.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode "ofoperation, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is as follows:

1. In a mechanism for casting slugs with apair of complementary holdingprojections of less than type height, the combination of a casting moldand a matrix line assembled in operative relation thereto, the saidmatrix line including a plurality of sets of mg matrices to permit theirwithdrawal.

ing projections, in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. In a mechanism for casting slugs with a' pair of complementaryundercut holding projections of less than type height, the combinationof a casting mold and a matrix line assembled in operative relationthereto, the said matrix line including a plurality of sets ofcomplementary matrices, the matrices of one set being relatively formedto provide an undercut mold cavity for producing one of thecomplementary holding projections, and the matrices of the other setbeing relatively formed to provide an undercut mold cavity for producingthe other of the complementary holding projections, in the manner andfor the purpose described.

3. In a mechanism for casting slugs with a pair of complementary holdingprojections of less than type height, the combination of a castingmold-and a matrix line assembled in operative relation thereto, the saidmatrix line including a plurality of sets of complementary matrices, thematrices of each set being relatively formed to provide a mold cavityfor producing the corresponding one of the complementary holdingprojections, and other matrices having plain 100 and straight moldengaging edges assembled between the matrices of the several sets so asto produce a plain and straight supporting surface on the cast slugbetween the complementary holding projections thereon, 105 in the mannerand for the purpose described.

4. In a. mechanism for casting slugs with a pair of complementaryundercut holding projections ofless than type height, the combination ofa casting mold and a matrix 110 line assembled in operative relationthereto, the said matrixline including a plurality of sets ofcomplementary matrices, the matrices of each set being relatively formedto provide an undercut mold cavity for producing 11 the correspondingone of the complementary holding projections, and other matrices havingplain and straight mold engaging edges assembled between the matrices ofthe several sets so as to produce a plain and straight supportingsurface on the cast slug between the complementary holding projectionsthereon, in the manner and for the purpose described.

5. In a mechanism for casting slugs with 125 a pair of complementaryundercut holding projections of less than type height, the combinationof casting mold and a matrix line assembled in operative relationthereto, the said matrix line including a plurality of 130 sets ofcomplementary matrices, the matrices of each set being relatively formedto provide an undercut cavity for producing the corresponding one of thecomplementary holding projections, other matrices having plain andstraight mold engaging edges assembled between the matrices of theseveral sets so as to produce a plain and straight supporting surface onthe cast slug between the complementary holding projections thereon, andone or more expansible spaces adapted to spread the line before castingand to allow it to be contracted after casting so as to permit thewithdrawal of the undercut projections on' the slug from the matrixcavities.

6. In a m :chanism for casting slugs with a pair of omplementary holdingprojections of less than type height, the combination of a casting moldand a matrix line assembled in operative relation thereto, the saidmatrix line including a plurality of sets of complementarymatrices, thematrices of each set being relatively formed to provide a mold cavityfor producing the corresponding one of the complementary holdingprojections, and the said mold cavity being constituted in part by anotch formed in the operative edge of one of the complementary matricesof said set and open at the front and one side only and closed at theopen side by another matrix of the set, all in the manner and for thepurpose described.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

PHILIP T. DODGE. Witnesses C. W. WIMBERLY, E. J. LAMB.

